New projects & documents

Anyone may submit a request for a new safety related project in accordance with the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects . These requests are forwarded to the NFPA Standards Council for a preliminary review. If deemed appropriate, the Council directs that a notice be published in NFPA News . This notice asks for information or resources on the subject matter, the names of those interested in participating on the Committee (if established), the names of other organizations actively involved with this subject, and whether there is a need for such a project. The Standards Council then reviews the proposed project/document and any public comments generated by the notice. If the Standards Council does determine the need for the proposed project it either assigns the project to an existing Technical Committee or establishes a new committee.

New Project Initiation Form (doc, 26 KB)

The following new projects/documents were approved by the Standards Council at its March 2009 meeting:

Respiratory Standards for Wildland Fire Fighting

At the October 2007 the Council voted to proceed with the request of C. Anaya, El Dorado Hills, CA that NFPA develop a new document on Respiratory Standards for Wildland Fire Fighting. The Council requested that the Technical Correlating Committee (TCC) on Fire and Emergency Service Protective Clothing and Equipment clarify whether this topic would be assigned to an existing Technical Committee (TC) under the Project or if a new TC is being contemplated. Regardless of whether the new document will be developed by a new TC or an existing TC, the Council wanted to ensure that adequate wildland expertise will be represented on the TC assigned this new responsibility. The TCC has assigned the development of this document to the TC on Respiratory Protection Equipment. The Council is directing the TC to review its membership and make any membership recommendations necessary to assure that the TC has appropriate wildland fire fighting expertise. Once the Council has reviewed and acted on any recommendations, and has indicated that the TC is appropriately constituted to begin processing the new standard, the TC can develop and ballot the draft document (see Regs. 4.3.1.1), then make a request to the Council to enter an appropriate revision cycle. (see Regs. 4.2.3)The Council notes that in the record (SC Agenda Item 09-3-17) it appears that a draft document had been created and balloted. It is not appropriate for a TC to develop a draft and ballot it before the Council has approved the document.(Minutes Item 09-3-17, SC March 2009 Meeting)
Selection, Care and Maintenance of Life Safety Rope

At the October 2008 meeting, the Council deferred action on the request of the Technical Committee (TC) on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment to develop a new document on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Life Safety Rope. The Council wanted to provide additional time for public input from those affected by the proposed standard. The Council has received further public comments in favor of the development, and after review of all of the information before it, has voted to approve the development of a document. Once the TC has developed and balloted the draft document (see Regs. 4.3.1.1), the TC can then make a request to the Council to enter an appropriate revision cycle. (see Regs. 4.2.3) (Minutes Item 09-3-16, SC March 2009 Meeting)
Selection, Care and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents

At the October 2008 meeting, the Council deferred action on the request of the Technical Committee (TC) on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment to develop a new document on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents. The Council wanted to provide additional time for public input from those affected by the proposed standard. The Council has received further public comments in favor of the development, and after review of all of the information before it, has voted to approve the development of a document. Once the TC has developed and balloted the draft document (see Regs. 4.3.1.1), the TC can then make a request to the Council to enter an appropriate revision cycle. (see Regs. 4.2.3)(Minutes Item 09-3-15, SC March 2009 Meeting)
Contaminated Water Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment

At the October 2008 meeting, the Council deferred action on the request of the Technical Committee (TC) on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment to develop a new document on Contaminated Water Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment. The Council wanted to provide additional time for public input from those affected by the proposed standard. The Council has received further public comments in favor of the development, and after review of all of the information before it, has voted to proceed with the development of a document. The Council is directing the TC to review its membership and make any membership recommendations necessary to assure that the TC has appropriate contaminated water expertise. Once the Council has reviewed and acted on any recommendations, and has indicated that the TC is appropriately constituted to begin processing the new standard, the TC can develop and ballot the draft document (see Regs. 4.3.1.1), then make a request to the Council to enter an appropriate revision cycle. (see Regs. 4.2.3) (Minutes Item 09-3-14, SC March 2009 Meeting)

The following new projects/documents were not approved by the Standards Council at its March 2009 meeting:

Gels Used in Wildland and Structural Fire Fighting

At the October 2008 meeting, the Council deferred action on the request of the Technical Committee on Forest and Rural Fire Protection for approval of a proposed new document on Gels Used in Wildland and Structural Fire Fighting to provide additional time for public input from those affected by the proposed standard. The Council has received further information, and after review of all of the information before, it has voted not to approve the development of a document. In making this decision, the Council notes that while an application standard might be appropriate, there doesn’t appear to be a technical basis or technical documentation on the performance of gels. Until such time as a product standard is developed that addresses the fire performance characteristics of the gel agents, appropriate test methods, and independent third party evaluation and approval of the agents, the Council believes that standards activity around the application of such agents is premature. Additionally, the Council has voted that the development of the product standard should not be undertaken by NFPA. (Minutes Item 09-3-13, SC March 2009 Meeting)